Death Valley Wildflowers 2016

After hearing of the potential for a better than average wildflower display in Death Valley this spring, we decided we would pass through for a quick visit.  On February 19th we spent most of the day driving down to the south end of Death Valley to see the wildflower displays around the vicinity of the Ashford Mill ruins.  There were very impressive fields of Desert Gold sunflowers.  We felt that this year's display was comparable to those seen during the "superbloom" of 2005.

Large fields of Desert Gold

Some covering the hills and valleys

Lots of gold!

A little searching turned up a few other species of wildflowers.

Crypantha and Sand Verbena

Gravel Ghost

Desert Five-spots, Phacelia and Desert Gold

Back-lit Desert Five-spot

Phacelia

Mojavea

Desert Chicory

Sunsets and Butterflies

We spent a few days staying at Cave Creek Regional Park just north of Phoenix, Arizona.  While we were there, we were treated to a couple of spectacular sunsets and we also took in Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale.

On the evening of our arrival was the first great sunset.

A hike in the park led to a strangely developed saguaro cactus named "Michelin Man".

The Butterfly Wonderland had an amazing variety of neotropical butterflies.

The butterflies would frequently land on the visitors.

Our last evening at Cave Creek provided our second beautiful sunset.